This year, SSA performed in Act 2 at the National Day Parade as Singapore celebrated her 46th year of independence at the Marina Bay platform. Titled “Majulah! The Singapore Spirit”, the show was staged as a musical in five acts.
In Act 2 – “Birth”, 510 SSA members showcased the livelihood of Singapore’s immigrants through a colourful performance replete with high-spirited dances and rich ethnic music to portray the “Singapore Spirit” – the determination and strength in the early settlers when they united as one to build our homeland. Remarked NDP 2011 Creative Director Beatrice Chia-Richmond as she recounted the NDP journey, “The segment that SSA is performing is a difficult and challenging one, so for all of you to present it in such a beautiful way, I can sat that you’re one of the most marvellous group of people I have encountered. A am full of admiration and you truly inspired us with every rehearsal and show that you presented before us.”
Apart from Act 2, another 40 SSA participants from the Women Division were invited to give a guest performance in Act 4 – “Progress” that depicted Singapore’s advancement from 1970s to 2000s.
The entire preparation was supported by dedicated teams of behind-the-scenes groups including the trainers and choreographers, members of the Soka Stallion, Passion Group, Soka Medical Group, Hospitality Group, Angsana Group and the administrative team. As SSA’s NDP 2011 Chairperson Michelle Lek summed it up, “Be it all the 19 elements of our item coming together or all the various groups from SSA coming together with all other Singaporeans is a great display of unity in diversity, in accordance of the Buddhist principle of ‘many in body, one in mind’. To successfully put up this show has been our common goal in mind.”